
Antiphon1
Ant. Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
V. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures forever. Matthew 21; Psalm 118
Merciful God,
as we enter Holy Week and gather at your house of prayer,
turn our hearts again to Jerusalem,
to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
that united with Christ and all the faithful
we may one day enter in triumph
the city not made by human hands,
the new Jerusalem, eternal in the heavens,
where with you and the Holy Spirit,
Christ lives in glory forever. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN: Jennette Threlfall
Tune: Ellacombe https://tinyurl.com/ms76dm87
1 Hosanna, loud hosanna
the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them,
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
2 From Olivet they followed
mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving,
and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children
should on his bidding wait.
3 “Hosanna in the highest!”
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice.
PSALMS
Psalm 116 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/r9c5ke7)
1 I am well pleased *
that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me *
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death compassed me round about *
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord *
O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous *
yea, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserveth the simple *
I was in misery, and he helped me.
7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul *
for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death *
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord *
in the land of the living.
10 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled *
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11 What reward shall I give unto the Lord *
for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
12 I will receive the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the Lord.
13 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people *
right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
14 Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant *
I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid;
thou hast broken my bonds in sunder.
15 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
16 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people *
in the courts of the Lord’s house,
even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 117 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/rxgv7mn)
1 O praise the Lord, all ye heathen *
praise him, all ye nations.
2 For his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us *
and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 118 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tkh65hw)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now confess, that he is gracious *
and that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now confess *
that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Yea, let them now that fear the Lord confess *
that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in trouble *
and the Lord heard me at large.
6 The Lord is on my side *
I will not fear what man doeth unto me.
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me *
therefore shall I see my desire upon mine enemies.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord *
than to put any confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord *
than to put any confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me round about *
but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They kept me in on every side, they kept me in, I say, on every side *
but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
12 They came about me like bees,
and are extinct even as the fire among the thorns *
for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall *
but the Lord was my help.
14 The Lord is my strength, and my song *
and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous *
the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
16 The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence *
the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.
17 I shall not die, but live *
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened and corrected me *
but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open me the gates of righteousness *
that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord *
the righteous shall enter into it.
21 I will thank thee, for thou hast heard me *
and art become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders refused *
is become the head-stone in the corner.
23 This is the Lord’s doing *
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Help me now, O Lord *
O Lord, send us now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord *
we have wished you good luck, ye that are of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord who hath shewed us light *
bind the sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will thank thee *
thou art my God, and I will praise thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 116 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-116.mp3)
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of
my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever
I called upon him.
2 The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
3 Then I called upon the Name of the LORD: *
“O LORD, I pray you, save my life.”
4 Gracious is the LORD and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
5 The LORD watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the LORD has treated you well.
7 For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8 I will walk in the presence of the LORD *
in the land of the living.
9 I believed, even when I said,
“I have been brought very low.” *
In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.”
10 How shall I repay the LORD *
for all the good things he has done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the LORD *
is the death of his servants.
14 O LORD, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the LORD’S house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!
Psalm 117 (LSB Tone A: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-117-LSB.mp3)
1 Praise the LORD, all nations!*
Extol him, all peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,*
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen..
Psalm 118 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-118-LSB.mp3)
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;*
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,*
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,*
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say,*
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD;*
the LORD answered me and set me free.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.*
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper;*
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD*
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD*
than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me;*
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;*
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;*
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,*
but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song;*
he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:*
“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the LORD exalts,*
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,*
and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has disciplined me severely,*
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,*
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;*
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me*
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected*
has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;*
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;*
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O LORD!*
O LORD, we pray, give us success!
26 Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the LORD!*
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.*
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;*
you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;*
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
PRAYER
O God, our judge and redeemer,
by the light of your truth
let the righteous know your goodness
and sinners know your mercy,
that together they may give you grateful praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion.
Sing aloud, Daughter Jerusalem.
Look, your king will come to you.
He is righteous and victorious.
He is humble and riding on an ass,
on a colt, the offspring of a donkey.
He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the warhorse from Jerusalem.
The bow used in battle will be cut off;
he will speak peace to the nations.
His rule will stretch from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.
Moreover, by the blood of your covenant,
I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.
Return to the stronghold, prisoners of hope.
Moreover, declare today that I will return double to you.
HYMN: Charles Coffin; trans. John Chandler
Tune: St Thomas https://tinyurl.com/yyy36uay
1 The advent of our King
our prayers must now employ,
and we must hymns of welcome sing
in strains of holy joy.
2 The everlasting Son
incarnate deigns to be;
himself a servant’s form puts on,
to set his servants free.
3 Daughter of Sion, rise
to meet thy lowly King;
nor let thy faithless heart despise
the peace he comes to bring.
4 As judge, on clouds of light,
he soon will come again,
and his true members all unite
with him in heaven to reign.
5 All glory to the Son
who comes to set us free,
with Father, Spirit, ever One,
through all eternity.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I didn’t come preaching God’s secrets to you like I was an expert in speech or wisdom. I had made up my mind not to think about anything while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and to preach him as crucified. I stood in front of you with weakness, fear, and a lot of shaking. My message and my preaching weren’t presented with convincing wise words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. I did this so that your faith might not depend on the wisdom of people but on the power of God.
What we say is wisdom to people who are mature. It isn’t a wisdom that comes from the present day or from today’s leaders who are being reduced to nothing. We talk about God’s wisdom, which has been hidden as a secret. God determined this wisdom in advance, before time began, for our glory. It is a wisdom that none of the present-day rulers have understood, because if they did understand it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory! But this is precisely what is written: God has prepared things for those who love him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being. God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God. Who knows a person’s depths except their own spirit that lives in them? In the same way, no one has known the depths of God except God’s Spirit. We haven’t received the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit so that we can know the things given to us by God.
HYMN: Henry Hart Milman
Tune: Truro https://tinyurl.com/2p8tkmuu
1 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hear all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue Your road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
2 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, Your triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
3 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The host of angels in the sky
look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
to see th’approaching Sacrifice.
4 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Your last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on His sapphire throne
awaits His own anointed Son.
5 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die,
bow Your meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O Christ, Your pow’r and reign.
When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away.’”
They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve.
CANTICLE Philippians 2:6-11
(Chant by John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/y8ljx8y7)
Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may join Christ in letting go of control and power, and allow the Spirit of God to sustain and renew us each day
For all who are suffering for the sake of others: that God will give them strength, help them to serve without looking for a reward, and draw them closer to Jesus through their deeds of service
For the grace to forgive: that we may have the courage to forgive freely all who injure us just as God has forgiven us
For single-heartedness: that God will help us entrust every aspect of our lives into God’s hands and grow in our desire that God’s will be done in all things
For the gift of humility: that we may not seek honor but, like Christ, offer ourselves in service to one another
For all who are suffering, particularly Christians being persecuted for living the Gospel: that God will sustain them and help them to give faithful witness to the Gospel
For all who have been humiliated or unjustly accused: that God will give them strength, heal their pain, and help them find their value in being children of the Father
For all who have been condemned to death: that God’s Spirit will help them turn to God and find hope and peace
For governmental leaders: that God will help them to lay aside personal gain and follow the example of Christ in making service of those in need a guiding principle of their work
For all the Elect and Candidates: that God will deepen their desire for the Eucharist and fill them with love through the Holy Spirit
For all who are experiencing loss and small deaths in their lives: that God will sustain them through loss of health, employment, or relationships, accompany them through their pain, and lead them into new life
For an end to capital punishment: that God will help us to recognize and respect the dignity of each human life that God has created and work to end the death penalty
For all refugees and displaced persons: that God will guide them to safety, open the hearts of many to accompany and support them, and help them to reconnect with loved ones and faith communities
For all who have died, particularly those killed in the violence in Ukraine: that they may be with Jesus in paradise this day and experience God’s unconditional love
For peace, particularly in Ukraine: that the passion of Christ will break down the barriers in the hearts of opponents and open new levels of honesty in the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine
(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
God of all,
you gave your only-begotten Son to take the form of a servant,
and to be obedient even to death on a cross.
Give us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus,
that, sharing in his humility,
we may come to be with him in his glory,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14

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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The intercession is by Joe Milner http://liturgy.slu.edu
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 116 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 117 and 118 are in the version used in Lutheran Service Book: Pew Edition Concordia Publishing House, and are from the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2024 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.